Independent on Sunday 1,116 by Poins
The second Poins crossword that I’ve drawn in two blogging Sundays, so I wonder if we’re seeing a pattern emerge. No complaints from me either way, as this was enjoyable and perhaps a … Read more >>
Simon Harding
Independent 7,704 by Nestor (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 25/06/11)
I must admit that this seemed to be about the toughest Nestor puzzle I’ve ever come across. As a result, I was picking away at it all week. One final entry, 17dn, remained … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,113 (19/06/11)
A bumper number of clues to tackle this week, but I seemed to make very swift progress. An all-but-unaided finish in the end, just pulling out the Big Red Book to check entries … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,111 (05/06/11)
This week we have an auspicious puzzle number of 1,111, and a helpfully Ninafied grid to match. At 1ac we have FOUR-EYES followed by, well, four Is, while along the bottom row we … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,112 by Poins
I don’t think I’ve ever blogged a Poins before, which always makes for a slightly daunting solve. In the event, I seemed to manage a lot of this on the first pass through…and … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,109 (22/05/11)
A very tough solve this week – I very quickly found myself reaching for various solving aids in attempt to get this one done. The explanations for couple of clues still elude me, … Read more >>
Independent 7,674 by Anax (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 21/05/11)
I had been thinking it was about time that Anax and I crossed paths, and here we are. No complaints from me: Anax is one of the very finest setters around, and no … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,107 (15/05/11)
A relatively swift, but not unenjoyable, solve this week. Not an unaided finish though, as I did have to check a few unfamiliar terms and senses in the book before entry, for example … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,108 by Crosophile
My first ever attempt at blogging a Crosophile, as far as I can see, though I’ve definitely tackled a few puzzles by this setter recently. This was fair and entertaining, without being too … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,105 (24/04/11)
A pretty tough week, judging by the number of entries I had to check before entry, and the little bit of cheating I had to do to finish off the NW corner. There … Read more >>
Independent 7,644 by Tyrus (Saturday Prize Puzzle, 16/04/11)
A strange one this. Certainly very tough, and I found it hard to get any momentum going. Spotting the theme late didn’t help, of course. In fact, there are elements of it that … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,103 (10/04/11)
Of the last two weeks’ Beelzebub puzzles, I think I got lucky, having struggled to get anywhere with 1,102, and having raced through this one unaided. *=anag, []=dropped, <=reversed, hom=homophone, cd=cryptic definition, dd=double … Read more >>
Independent on Sunday 1,104 by Hypnos
My first non-Quixote Independent on Sunday blog, and this week it’s Hypnos. This – perhaps appropriately – seemed a shade easier than I recall previous Hypnos puzzles being. I had to rely on … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,101 (27/03/11)
This one, though not unduly tough, kept me busy for some time as I picked at it over the course of the week. I think this is the highest number of clues I’ve … Read more >>
Beelzebub 1,099 (13/03/11)
A very pleasant solve this week, once again. I thought I might be on for a rare unaided finish but alas the big red book had to come out to finish the NE … Read more >>